As poets, authors, and members of the League of Women Voters, we recognize the power of language to connect people, to stir hearts and minds, and to reaffirm the enduring promise of democracy. We aim to illuminate its beauty, its fragility, and its strength, at a time when we cannot afford to take its core principles for granted. We express our love of country and democracy by lifting our voices together.

The national poetry anthology Democracy's Urgent Call features poems by League members from across the country including the poem of Elizabeth Sumner Jones, LWV Columbia Area, SC.

With tears I kneel at your grave,

Pvt. John Peter Corn.

In my veins your blood I save

And carry since I was born.

 

You wintered a cold, bitter winter

With injured men in Valley Forge. 

You built a campfire from a splinter 

And followed that great General George. 

 

No Fife and Drum led you there, 

But freedom from the English king!

Still the desire throbs everywhere

That freedom forever may ring!

 

As our nation celebrates 250 years, 

Out of wars we have been born, 

We first kneel at graves such as yours, 

Pvt. John Peter Corn. 

The poetry anthology is available through Amazon. A portion of proceeds goes to support Voting and Women's Rights.